Pedal your way around Westport’s watershed

The Westport River Watershed Alliance is sponsoring a Saturday, June 8, bike tour of the Westport River watershed to show off the natural beauty of the area and to share some knowledge about it.

“Everybody loves this place but they know little about what is happening to the river and why,” said Matt Patrick, executive director. “We hope to have a little fun and help them understand what WRWA does and they can do to protect the river and its watershed. This ride is a chance to have a really good time with your friends and raise some money to protect and preserve the Westport River watershed.”

There will be two courses: A 46 mile ride and a 23 mile ride. The long ride has several steep hills and is not as easy. Participants would do well to plan ahead and get into shape with a few practice rides. The shorter 23 mile course will be a little less hilly but is still challenging. Put together a team of five or more and each team member will get a free membership to WRWA. Children 12 and under ride for free when accompanied by an adult.

The Westport River Watershed Ride will begin and end at the Buzzards Bay Brewery. The cost is $60 for nonmembers and $50 for members the day of the ride — “the bucolic Westport scenery along with the beer is free.” Save $10 by registering early. At the end there will be a “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” NPR kind of quiz with prizes for those who can answer two out of three questions correctly.

Each participant will get a unique patch made by the Merrow Sewing Machine Company of New Bedford. There will be free sandwiches, fruit and soft drinks at the end of the ride.

The ride will start at 7 to 9 a.m., (estimate 3.5 hours to complete the 46-mile course at an average 15 mph and less than two hours for the short course).